Project

Maine Farmed Shellfish Market Analysis

Facilitating economic growth for Maine's farmed shellfish businesses

Our project produced a data-driven, quantitative market assessment to inform industry leaders and business owners about the potential scale and scope of markets for farmed shellfish and to facilitate strategic growth in the industry.

Project Goals:

  • Conduct a comprehensive market analysis of Maine's shellfish aquaculture industry.
  • Evaluate the scale and scope of the opportunity for Maine’s aquaculture industry participants.
  • Recommend strategies that will enable Maine to build its aquaculture industry while reducing internal competition within the state.
  • Provide long-range context to support capital investment decisions and ensure sustainability and resiliency of Maine's aquaculture industry.

Maine Farmed Shellfish Market Analysis Report

This data-driven, quantitative market assessment informs industry leaders and business owners about the potential scale and scope of markets for farmed shellfish and to facilitate strategic growth in the industry.

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This market analysis report, prepared by The Hale Group in partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute Aquaculture Program, reveals tremendous opportunity for Maine’s aquaculture industry. Maine is uniquely positioned to leverage and expand its aquaculture industry to capture a greater share of the shellfish marketplace for oysters, mussels, and scallops. Our report includes strategic recommendations to optimize growth to maintain product quality without competing with existing farms or overburdening coastal ecosystems and communities.

In 2015, efforts began to convene Maine’s aquaculture industry — including active farmers, leading consultants, trade groups, and others — to better understand the current market challenges and opportunities for Maine in this global industry. This system-level focus is reflected in the report, and benefits the industry as a whole now, and into the future.

Key Staff

Project Partner

Blue text on a white background that reads "The Hale Group"

The market analysis report was prepared by The Hale Group at the direction of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Project Steering Committee

  • Sebastian Belle (Maine Aquaculture Association)
  • Nick Branchina (Branchina, Maine)
  • Dick Clime (Coastal Enterprises, Incorporated)
  • Eric Horne (Flying Point Oyster Farm)
  • Bill Mook (Mook Sea Farm)
  • Gary Moretti (Bangs Island Mussels)
  • Dana Morse (Maine Sea Grant)
  • Barb Scully (Glidden Point Oyster Sea Farm)
  • Peter Stocks (Calendar Island Mussels)
  • Briana Warner and Nick Battista (The Island Institute)
  • Fiona de Koning (Hollander & de Koning Mussels)

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